Publication: Typhoid fever in Dhulikhel hospital, Nepal
Date
2004
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
One hundred and twelve cases of typhoid fever presenting in outpatient and emergency department of Dhulikhel
Hospital in Nepal were studied. In this study, it was found that 71% typhoid fever cases were less than 30 years of
age group with male to female ratio of 3:1. Fever over 5 days followed by headache and chills were major
presenting symptoms. Widal test and blood culture for Salmonella typhi were positive in 59% and 49% cases
respectively. Two third of our study population had total leucocyte count of normal range. The fever clearance time
was significantly better with ofloxacin compared to ciprofloxacin (p<0.05) and ceftriaxone compared to
chloramphenicol (p<0.05). The release from treatment was significantly shorter with ceftriaxone compared to
ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol (p<0.01). Ceftriaxone was found to be 100% sensitive to salmonella
typhi. Amoxicillin was only 52.1% sensitive to Salmonella typhi. Early diagnosis and institution of appropriate
antibiotic therapy is of paramount importance in the management of typhoid patients.
Key words: Typhoid fever, salmonella typhi, fever clearance time, release from treatment